CO SB163

Expands the definition of "state trooper" under Colorado's Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) to include wildlife officers and parks and recreation officers employed by the Division of Parks and Wildlife, effective July 1, 2023.

Applies retroactively to wildlife and parks officers hired on or after January 1, 2011, allowing them to qualify for state trooper retirement benefits and service retirement eligibility.

Appropriates $404,434 for fiscal year 2023-24 to cover the costs of reclassification, consisting of $236,364 from the wildlife cash fund and $168,070 from the parks and outdoor recreation cash fund.

Requires wildlife and parks officers to be certified by the Peace Officers Standards and Training Board as state troopers to receive the new classification and associated retirement benefits.